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The Federated Courier Federated Community Church
Hampden, MA 01036
E-mail: [email protected] www.hampdenfederatedchurch.org Tel. (413) 566-3711 Fax (413) 566-5324
Volume 73 10 October 2020 _____________________________________
From the Pastor's Desk
Read Psalms 46 & 62
Greetings in the Name of Christ!
We are living in a precarious time: COVID and all the
ramifications from the threat of the virus, the upcoming
Election and the time required for trying to find the truth and
decide where, how, and who to vote for, the determination of
elected officials to go against their own words and rush a
decision for a new Supreme Court Justice, the uprising in
many cities of folks demanding their voices be heard and a
seat at the table as demands are made for new ways of seeking
justice for ALL, the horror of the deaths of George Floyd,
Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many other black
people’s deaths at the hands of those who are supposed to
protect ALL, and the retaliation against innocent police just
for wearing the uniform, the fires, the floods, ..and so much
more! It is overwhelming on our own. Psalm 42 helps me
remember God is the source of all I need to get through the
day.
As one of my daily devotions, I read reflections by Richard
Rohr, who is a Franciscan priest and the founder of The
Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, where he serves as founding director and academic
dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. His
words were so helpful for myself and others (I received e-
mailto:[email protected]://www.hampdenfederatedchurch.org/about:blankabout:blank
mails regarding these from a colleague and a church member),
I feel compelled to share with you.
Some simple but urgent guidance to get us through these
next months.
I awoke on Saturday, September 19, with three sources in my
mind for guidance: Etty Hillesum (1914 – 1943), the young
Jewish woman who suffered much more injustice in the
concentration camp than we are suffering now; Psalm 62,
which must have been written in a time of a major oppression
of the Jewish people; and the Irish Poet, W.B.Yeats (1965 –
1939), who wrote his “Second Coming” during the horrors of
the World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic.
These three sources form the core of my invitation. Read each
one slowly as your first practice. Let us begin with Etty:
There is a really deep well inside me. And in it dwells God.
Sometimes I am there, too … And that is all we can manage
these days and also all that really matters: that we safeguard
that little piece of You, God, in ourselves.
—Etty Hillesum, Westerbork transit camp
Note her second-person usage, talking to “You, God” quite
directly and personally. There is a Presence with her, even as
she is surrounded by so much suffering.
Then, the perennial classic wisdom of the Psalms:
In God alone is my soul at rest.
God is the source of my hope.
In God I find shelter, my rock, and my safety.
Men are but a puff of wind,
Men who think themselves important are a delusion.
Put them on a scale,
They are gone in a puff of wind.
—Psalm 62:5–9
What could it mean to find rest like this in a world such as
ours? Every day more and more people are facing the
catastrophe of extreme weather. The neurotic news cycle is
increasingly driven by a single narcissistic leader whose words
and deeds incite hatred, sow discord, and amplify the daily
chaos. The pandemic that seems to be returning in waves
continues to wreak suffering and disorder with no end in sight,
and there is no guarantee of the future in an economy designed
to protect the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and
those subsisting at the margins of society.
It’s no wonder the mental and emotional health among a large
portion of the American population is in tangible decline! We
have wholesale abandoned any sense of truth, objectivity,
science or religion in civil conversation; we now recognize we
are living with the catastrophic results of several centuries of
what philosophers call nihilism or post-modernism (nothing
means anything, there are no universal patterns).
We are without doubt in an apocalyptic time (the Latin
word apocalypsis refers to an urgent unveiling of an ultimate
state of affairs). Yeats’ oft-quoted poem “The Second
Coming” then feels like a direct prophecy. See if you do not
agree:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Somehow our occupation and vocation as believers in this sad
time must be to first restore the Divine Center by holding it
and fully occupying it ourselves. If contemplation means
anything, it means that we can “safeguard that little piece of
You, God,” as Etty Hillesum describes it. What other power
do we have now? All else is tearing us apart, inside and out,
no matter who wins the election or who is on the Supreme
Court. We cannot abide in such a place for any length of time
or it will become our prison.
God cannot abide with us in a place of fear.
God cannot abide with us in a place of ill will or hatred.
God cannot abide with us inside a nonstop volley of claim and
counterclaim.
God cannot abide with us in an endless flow of online punditry
and analysis.
God cannot speak inside of so much angry noise and
conscious deceit.
God cannot be found when all sides are so far from “the
Falconer.”
God cannot be born except in a womb of Love.
So offer God that womb.
Stand as a sentry at the door of your senses for these coming
months, so “the blood-dimmed tide” cannot make its way into
your soul.
If you allow it for too long, it will become who you are, and
you will no longer have natural access to the “really deep
well” that Etty Hillesum returned to so often and that held so
much vitality and freedom for her.
If you will allow, I recommend for your spiritual practice
for the next four months that you impose a moratorium on
exactly how much news you are subject to—hopefully not
more than an hour a day of television, social media,
internet news, magazine and newspaper commentary,
and/or political discussions. It will only tear you apart
and pull you into the dualistic world of opinion and
counter-opinion, not Divine Truth, which is always found
in a bigger place.
Instead, I suggest that you use this time for some form of
public service, volunteerism, mystical reading from the
masters, prayer—or, preferably, all of the above.
You have much to gain now and nothing to lose.
Nothing at all. And the world—with you as a stable
center—has nothing to lose. And everything to gain.
Richard Rohr, September 19, 2020
I hope you have found his words comforting and his
suggestions centering and propelling.
In Christ's Light and Love, Pastor Pat
From the Deacons’ Bench As the Deacons, Christian Education Ministry Team and the
Board of Directors met to look at resuming indoor worship,
we began to get more excited at the possibility of returning to
our Sanctuary together, and welcoming again our families and
children, who have not been with us since March. Going
through all of the pertinent Covid guidelines and mandates
was challenging, but having committed our hearts and minds
to gathering in person, we were able to develop workable
procedures to ensure we can meet together as safely as
possible.
Yes, some of the “rules” seem nit-picky and annoying, maybe
even burdensome; but we believe that offering the opportunity
to unite our spirits in prayer and worship, in person, may be
worth some inconvenience to many of us. At the same time,
we know that some of us are unable or uncomfortable with
worshipping here in church, so we will continue to live-stream
our service on Facebook, and record it for cable viewing.
Throughout the past few weeks these verses kept going
through my mind: “Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword? ...No, in all these things we
are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I
am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 35, 37-39)
I believe that whether we are physically together, or uplifting
our prayers and praise from our homes, we are held in God's
tender care.
Your sister in Christ,
Deacon Linda Hornig
Servers for the Months Deacons
October Hayden Tibbets
November Karen Anable
December Dave Spencer
Anniversaries
Sunday School Birthdays
Madison Cadieux 10/08
Olivia McKeone 10/31
John & Beatrice Moriarty 10/01
Allen & Laurie Schoolcraft 10/04
Paul & Elizabeth Cilley 10/09
Nancy & Richard Nelson 10/09
Robert & Ellie Green 10/13
Robert & Cheryl Patterson 10/14
Bruce & Jeanne Westcott 10/15
Michael & Karen Kielb 10/18
Joshua & Sarah Blain 10/24
Erik & Dawn McKeone 10/27
Donald & Shirley Facey 10/30
October Birthdays Birthday Greetings to the following
adult members of our church who celebrate birthdays in
October.
Robert Patterson 10/01
Barbara Dunwoody 10/03
Jacene Germain 10/05
Joseph Eagan 10/05
Jennifer Jernigan 10/05
Carmel Grant 10/04
Ellie Soucy 10/14
Cameron Walulak 10/14
Joyce Brooks 10/14
Ellen Gatchell 10/16
Laurie Schoolcraft 10/17
Gerald Robinson 10/18
Casey DeGray 10/20
Donald Facey 10/20
Rebecca DeSanti 10/20
Rebekah Doyle 10/23
Justin Jernigan 10/24
Bruce Westcott 10/29
Beatrice Officer 10/30
Gillian Smith 10/30
Prayer Corner
Sympathy To…
Family & friends of Edna Fisher, who
passed away on September 6th.
Family & Friends of Susan Wickwire,
(sister of Nancy Nelson) who passed away on September
11th.
Evie Meacham Jake
Bob & Evelyn Schoolcraft Christopher
Richard Grant Otto Kern
Kathie Carol Darnley
Audrey Burger Gwen Wills
John (Jack) Bennett Lelum
Janet Brehaut Jackie Prior
Beverly Pease Dennis Connor
Winnie Jeffrey Howe
Don Facey Edith
Fran Brown Joanne Fernandes
Frank & Phyllis Watson Bonnie Watson
Thank You- From Rebecca Varney I write this letter of thanks with great gratitude for the generous
scholarship my sweet Mom accepted on my behalf. Although it
saddens me I am unable to be there in person, I am beyond grateful
to be a part of this congregation, even from afar throughout this
pandemic. This scholarship will allow me to complete my Master’s
degree with less financial stress during these times of challenge as
I grow in my field and into my career. May this church thrive and
grow, and Lord, shine your grace on this loving congregation.
Love & Blessings,
Rebecca
* Rebecca Varney is attending Arizona State University to study
Community & Resources Development and was awarded the Yola
& Gerrish Scholarships on September 13th
. Thank you to those
who have made these scholarships available.
Flower Committee Update We will resume putting flowers on the alter for Sunday
services. If anyone would like to put an arrangement
in, please contact Regina Germain at 566-3933. Due to
Covid, the one difference is that flowers will not be delivered after
the service. If you would like to bring the flowers you ordered
home, you will need to pick them up. If you do not wish to take the
flowers, anyone else attending the service is welcome to take them
home.
Safety Guidelines for Indoor Worship
Please continue to wear a face mask and make sure to stay 6’
apart.
As we move indoors for worship, we want
to make sure you are aware of the
following practices as you decide if you are
safe to gather in person. If you or any
member of the family are experiencing the
following symptoms, please do not attend
in person, but consider watching on
Facebook Live or cable network at the
scheduled viewing time.
•Experiencing any symptoms such as fever (100.0 and above) or
chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache,
muscle/body aches, runny nose/congestion, new loss of taste or
smell, or nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
•Have had “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with
COVID-19. “Close contact” means living in the same household as
a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, caring for a
person who has tested positive for COVID-19, being within 6 feet
of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes
or more, or coming in direct contact with secretions (e.g., sharing
utensils, being coughed on) from a person who has tested positive
for COVID-19, while that person was symptomatic
•If you have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by your doctor
or a local public health official
Please note no communal gatherings pre or post service (e.g.,
coffee hours or other food services) are allowed.
We will ask that you sign in at worship to stay in guidelines for
contact tracing, should there be a need.
Harvest Gifts Update The Harvest Gift team made its
final delivery of fresh produce on
September 23rd. Thanks to all of
you who contributed produce, non-
perishables and packing materials -
your donations have made a
difference in the lives of so many
dealing with loss of income during the pandemic.
We will continue to collect non-perishable food items with planned
deliveries on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Items can be dropped
off at the church during regular office hours ( 9AM - 1 PM Mon-
Wed-Fri ) or on Sundays through-out the month. Thanks!
Advent Booklet Devotions It is Pastor Pat’s hope that the community of FCC will create their
third annual Advent Booklet, similar to the Upper Room Daily
Devotional, to be shared by the entire church during this time. The
reflections can take many forms. They can be a poem or be short
reflections on a time when you were touched by God or saw God
working through another person. It can be a time in nature which
took your breath away or about someone who made a difference in
your life. If you are comfortable finding a supportive Scripture and
adding a prayer, that is fine. If you only want to submit the short
reflection (no more than a half typed page), Pastor Pat will add
Scripture and a prayer. The booklet becomes our gift to one
another. Please submit by November 1, 2020 ( in time for Advent)
to [email protected] (preferred method) or leave in the
church office marked “Advent Booklet”.
Bible Study to Resume on October 16th We will begin Bible study again on Friday, October 16
th at 10:30
AM. We will meet in the Libby Fellowship Hall as well as Zoom.
All are encouraged to attend.
mailto:[email protected]
Christina’s House Staircase- Over Halfway to Goal! GREAT NEWS!!! The church members and friends have passed
the ½ way point in our goal of $6,000 to pay for the rebuilding of a
2 flight curved railing main staircase from the first floor to the
third floor for Christina’s House! Thank you for supporting this
local organization that is making a difference in people's lives.
If you would like to donate, please make checks payable to the
Federated Community Church. In the Memo line please write
CHRISTINA’S HOUSE, and send to:
Federated Community Church
P.O. Box 246
Hampden, MA. 01036.
Thanks,
Bruce and Janet Libby
Clothing Donations Needed FCC is collecting business attire clothing to go to the Women’s
Leadership Program of Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield
CT., through the non-profit Carol Rivest Memorial Foundation,
coordinated by Sheila Rivest. The foundation supports survivors of
domestic abuse with going to back to work. The clothing collected
is for women to wear for job interviews.
Having Fun Folklore says that Halloween was created because of the
importance of the day that follows: All Saint’s Day. Satan was
upset and jealous that Christians would be worshipping and
honoring God and the Saints that had died. Satan devised a plan to
capture the Christians so that they would not be able to praise and
honor God and the Saints. The Christians found out about Satan’s
plan and so disguised themselves as his followers so they would
not be captured.
This year, due to COVID, we will not have our pumpkin carving
outreach and the children will not have traditional Trick or
Treating. We are asking children and adults to come to church on
November 1st (All Saint’s Day) dressed as your favorite Biblical
character. Following worship, we are asking our adults to bring
candy to pass out with gloved hands (gloves provided) to our
children. It is important we support one another.
Super Saturday
October 24th & October 31st
Registration Deadline: October 19th
Please join us for our first Virtual Super Saturday; two days
of worship, workshops and networking- October 24th
&
October 31st. Sign up for one day or two, two workshops or
four. It’s up to you!
All Are Welcome. Register early to reserve your spot!